Database Users

Diary of an O2 Exec

For background to this post read http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?p=175027#175027.
This is an experiment to see just how usable this device actually is. There seem to be differing opinions and experiences and all hold water. So I'm going reset my device and start from scratch. Each time I encounter a shortfall on the device, I'll post what I think is wrong and wait for responses/advice on what to do. On group concensus, I'll then make a change/install 3rd party software/change my way of doing things etc and post the results.
This, of course, may go absolutely nowhere.
The rules:
It's an academic experiment, I have no agenda here.

Ok, All gone! Also, did a soft reset at the point that the device started "Customizing for O2". It's come back all clean and new.
ROM version: 1.13.48 WWE
ROM date: 09/19/05
Radio version: 1.04.02
Protocol version: 42.37.P8
Ext rom verion: (nothing because I reset it I guess).
Off the cuff free program memory is 31.33, Storage is 40.12
Fiddled with a couple of standard settings (cleartext is on, fonts are smallest, O2 gprs settings set up etc, etc).
Is this a safe basis to start with, or do I need the ext rom for something?
What I really need right up front is:
1. A GPRS monitor (SPB Gprs monitor is supplied on the accompanying O2 CD)
2. Tomtom navigator
Any alternatives, warnings before I install these?

Installed a couple of applications:
- SPB Gprs monitor
- Clearview PDF viewer (provided by O2 along with the unit)
- Microsoft Voice command. This most definitely has a bug in that you're unable to see the contact you're about to call. It is still useful however.
So far things still looking fine.
Still, was reminded yesterday evening in a random conversation about the fact that windows 95 used to run (slowly but usably) on a 486 with 16 MB Ram. My Exec runs slowly but usably on a lot more.

daveb1976 said:
2. Tomtom navigator
Any alternatives, warnings before I install these?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YOU'RE D :roll: :roll: M E D
I decided to keep my old XDA (Wallaby) and continue to use TomTom on that. Better safe than sorry

daveb1976 said:
Installed a couple of applications:
-
Still, was reminded yesterday evening in a random conversation about the fact that windows 95 used to run (slowly but usably) on a 486 with 16 MB Ram. My Exec runs slowly but usably on a lot more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually had a 200Mhz (Gateway) computer with 64MB of RAM and 4MB graphics card and 5GB HDD. My monitor had a higher res then the JJ/Exec. This worked really well on Win95 and Office. It was also used with Win98SE later on.
What the hell has M$ with WM5? It has a 520Mhz processor on-tap and about 50MB of RAM. It really does not feel as snappy as my old (10 years old) Gateway!

TomTom 5.1 works Ok on the Exec - the only problem is what to do with the Exec in the car. The Exec doesn't have a holder. It just slightly too big for my cheap Halford holder that suited my XDAII and IIs. Blue Tac wouldn't last too long on the dashboard Exec - it'll proably dry out too quickly. Velcro might work....

JJ Tweaks
Would suggest the following quick n easy adjustments:
1. Turn off error reporting
2. Turn off aut accept beams
3. remove pocket skype if you dont use it, big n cumbersome, or at least move it to storage card
4. Did you remove the startup file to your original voice dialer sddaemon?
5. have you done any other registry tweaks for MSVC from bluetooth?
6. Consider setting your theme to simply, some of them are big.
7. I prefer to use SPB to close the application properly, but if you do not add monitors to anything other than RAM.
What speed do you get on screen rotation?

Day 2
Day 2 I guess (only the first full day of actually using it)
Here's what I've found so far. My overall opinion is that things ARE running more smoothly than before. I LOVE a couple of the features - particularly MS Voice command when it works. I've used it extensively to check email, a bit to browse the web, once to watch a couple of small windows media videos. So it's been useful, but that's not the point of this excersise. I want to see if it works as we should be able to expect a device and an OS that we're paying good money for. Here's what I'm not happy with so far. Please post suggestions to whether you agree or disagree with my opinions, and suggestions for how I should be things better.
Bugs:
1. I have on 4 occassions been given an error stating that there is not enough memory to perform an operation. Once was when I tried to open the camera, once when I tried to access the MS Voice command config, once when trying to use Voice command to access contacts (I didn't actually get the error, but it didn't work. A quick look on MSVoice command troubleshooting says this is a memory problem. Now, the whole point of this is to use the device as MS planned us to. SURELY if within a day of user testing the device complains about memory issues, then their memory management DOES NOT WORK. Showstopper in my humble opinion. Of course, I'm bound and chained so they'll release anyway. This was the same problem with 2003SE, so why did they release 2005 with the same problem? Don't tell me I need to go into settings and shut down all the programs. What kind of end-user should think they needed to do that?
2. Bluetooth has switched itself off about 4 times. I know this is a well known bug on this forum, my question is how did the device make it to release with this so easily identifiable? Showstopper.
And appart from the fact that it's ludicrously slow for what it is accomplishing there are these annoyances - but not bugs.
1. No task switcher. This may only be me, but I think going through the menu to switch between applications every time you need to copy and paste or something like that, isn't great design. This is just my opinion of course, not a bug.
2. Decided to search for large files to see if I could free up space. Lovely option to search for files bigger than 64k (although it takes damned AGES - Google could search the entire web 100 000 times in less time). Finally get a list of files...but I CAN'T DELETE THEM from here. And there's no way to find out where they exist that I can see. Please someone tell me I'm doing something stupid here and that there is a way. Not a bug of course, but TERRIBLE design. Showstopper
Ok, now hit me...[/b]

Just to address a couple of other posts:
Would suggest the following quick n easy adjustments:
1. Turn off error reporting
2. Turn off aut accept beams
3. remove pocket skype if you dont use it, big n cumbersome, or at least move it to storage card
4. Did you remove the startup file to your original voice dialer sddaemon?
5. have you done any other registry tweaks for MSVC from bluetooth?
6. Consider setting your theme to simply, some of them are big.
7. I prefer to use SPB to close the application properly, but if you do not add monitors to anything other than RAM.
What speed do you get on screen rotation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Have turned this off
2. Have turned this off
3. Didn't get installed. I made sure this was JUST the MS supplied CAB. It has no O2 software installed that I can find - not even the smart dialer (which is a pain). Strangely, the menu option for smart dialer options is there, but does nothing when i click on it. But this might be because SD is expected to come from the OEM.
4. No i didn't, but it doesn't appear there anyway. But I'm not trying to tweak the device anyway, I'm trying to use it like an end user.
5. No, no tweaks. I don't believe you should have to tweak things like this within the first few days. I do, because i find it interesting, but my argument here is that MS have released a rediculously low quality product.
6. Standard windows theme.
7. I'm trying to use it as they intended.
Xiama: tomtom not installed...yet. I've had it running a few times though and it seems pretty good.
Darkblack: I've found a standard gps holder from Maplin worked fine.

The first 10 things to do when you get the Universal!

Hello,
As i will be getting my Exec (hopefully) tomorrow, i thought this topic would not only help me greatly but also others.
What are the first ten things to do when you get your new exec?
e.g
1) Get a case
2) Install Software (name here) to use it as a TV remote
Thanks folks

Since this is going to be different from person to person, why not just check this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=31697
It covers most/all questions...

Here's what I did:
1). Get case - recommend Proporta Alu-Leather
2). Get screen protector - recommend Martin
3). Get GPS System - recommend BT-338
4). Get Car Mount - recommend Brodit/Proclip
5). Get SD Card - recommend 2-4GB
6). Get system tools software - recommend free software
7). Learn to tweak it - recommend XDA Devs - you guys rock!
8). Get desk charger
9). Get Bluetooth Headset - no recommendations
10). Kick yourself in the ass for spending so much on yourself and nobody else.
There you go. Hope that helps.

modem_man said:
Here's what I did:
10). Kick yourself in the ass for spending so much on yourself and nobody else.
There you go. Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's going to be for my husband: "Kick himself in the ass for spending so much on his lovely wife.."
For me, the top ten would be:
1) Get Screen Protector
2) Get Case (im using the soft leather case for the ordinary dictionary/translator... it's the same size, fits perfectly)
3) Get BT headset -- using jabra but i want the one with the lcd display
4) Pair BT with phone - Total Voice Commander
5) Install TCMPM and load your sd with movies
6) Personalize phone - change wallpaper.... Im using a hello kitty wallpaper-- got a right to be cheezy... Makes my dopod less intimidating.. Anyone who opens it says, "how cute..."
7) Load ringtones and Install PocketZenPhone
8) Sync phone with pc (i think this should be #3)
9) Install MSReader and load phone with ebooks
10) Show off discreetly to close friends... I dont want just anybody touching my phone with his grimy hands...

screen protector definitely.
A couple of mundane settings to change:
disable error reporting and
disable receive all incoming beams.
Get your activesync working to get your PIM data loaded.
Definitely consider a bluetooth headset (I use Sony Erickson HBH 662 and I'm happy with it).
Definitely helps to have some program to close programs instead of just minimize them (I use smallmenu).
Get your internet connection working.
Start tweaking, probably best to start with the appropriate section of the universal wiki.
Follow this forum and learn more and more.
Enjoy!!

screen protector definitely.
A couple of mundane settings to change:
disable error reporting and
disable receive all incoming beams.
Get your activesync working to get your PIM data loaded.
Definitely consider a bluetooth headset (I use Sony Erickson HBH 662 and I'm happy with it).
Definitely helps to have some program to close programs instead of just minimize them (I use smallmenu).
Get your internet connection working.
Start tweaking, probably best to start with the appropriate section of the universal wiki.
Follow this forum and learn more and more.
Enjoy!!

Hi,
Would you tell me what is TCMPM, and how to get it. Thx

It is a media player. Go to http://tcpmp.corecodec.org/download to download.
Hope this helps

golfaholic said:
It is a media player. Go to http://tcpmp.corecodec.org/download to download.
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And it's utterly fantastic. a gazillion times better than WMP. Streaming movies over a wifi network without any silly pre-compression/reduction is fantastic.

Big Ups for TCPMP
And the most important thing for me on TCPMP is FULL screen!

modem_man said:
Big Ups for TCPMP
And the most important thing for me on TCPMP is FULL screen!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On that point - why should we beg/borrow/steal/buy what we need to get a decentOS?
MS is getting lazy - THIS version of Windows Mobile should have come with WMP at least as comparable feature and performance wise as TCPMP. Also a decent task switcher and window closer, like GSPocketMagic, an RSS Reader like Egress, File Explorer like Resco, Pic viewer like Resco, Radio Streamer like Resco, decent Registry Editor, GPRS Monitor type program and so on...

I guess the good side of it is that other programmers are getting income from creating great apps.. apps which are better than MS' creation. It's healthy competition and in the end, we, the consumers, are enjoying the fruits of their labor
Merry Christmas!

Just a short follow up question.
The TCP media player seams to work great on AVI files created with the divx plug in, however, mpeg files play rather badly.
They hang every couple of seconds, jitters and jump.
However, they play nicely with win media player.
Are you others getting this?
Thanks,
Frode

When MS adds something and does something too well, they get sued for Anti-Trust, if they don't, they get complaint at, lose-lose.
MS have been known to put in some really basic software so 3rd party software developers can earn on the full version or better versions of the software.
so can't really blame them.
frodebass, try Pocket TV for playing MPEG. TCMP is really good for DivX, but why use MPEG when it's a space hog?

The first few things I would do are:
1. Don't charge the battery. Use it until its at 20% and then do a fully charge for 8 hours
2. Check for dead pixels on the screen
3. Take a few photos to make sure there are no dead pixels in the camera
4. Don't install a new ROM unless you need to. And if do want to make sure you hard reset before a ROM update
5. Don't install non-WM5 s/w at all. And if you want to install any third-party apps check here at the forum and always use the latest version. In general avoid apps that have Today screen plug-ins as they seem to the source of many problems from what I can gather
6. Show off your new "toy" to your friends/work colleagues!

9 mnths on what is the definitive best ROM out there guys?!

I'd love to know what is the best of the best . . .

have use the O2, Qtek and Dopod but not on the same versions but I would say that Dopod's latest version works really well for me.

could you te me why?
I switched from T Mob Bloat Rom to the Qtek one.
I'd be interested to hear why you think it is so good.
Anyone else got a fave??
lr

I have been using an O2 Rom from the beginning of the year, and it is so very slow.
So I am rather keen to know what would be the best upgrade too.. Cheers!

looking in the other forum it looks like the dopod is quite good - again no friggin idea why!!!!

well for starters, they do not install a lot of aditional items. The only item installed is Voice Commander and that also is removable. In fact, when you do a hard reset and let the configuration run, you get almost 39mb of ROM space which is a lot in my opinion. Uninstall the Voice Commander and you get some more if you want to. There aren't even any additional themes like those installed on the iMate.

pretty kool - isn't voice commander any good then?

well its not too bad. supposed it can read your unread sms but i have yet to test it out.
though some like microsoft voice command as it announces who is calling.
i guess at the end of the day, it depends on what you need.

From my point of view, Qtek-9000 rom (whitout ext rom loaded) is the best one. It's light-weight, compact and fast enough than others. With some registry/memory tweaks, this is the fastest rom i ever used.

ranju said:
From my point of view, Qtek-9000 rom (whitout ext rom loaded) is the best one. It's light-weight, compact and fast enough than others. With some registry/memory tweaks, this is the fastest rom i ever used.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
could you share with us what are the tweaks that you used?

Find the CAB attached. A restart is required after the installation.
The tweaks included in the CAB is mostly collected from the internet. But carefully tuned to get the best performance from Qtek-9000 (ROM). Universal has only 64mb RAM so that I tuned the registry to balance max free memory and best performance.
You will have an option (Settings>System>Power) in the processor tab to set the speed either Standard or Turbooooooooooooooo!
Turbo provides more processing speed but drains your battery toooooooooo!
Enjoy! :lol:

what does turbo mode do ??? it does not change cpu speed, so , what does it do '???
thanks

And please do post a list of the tweaks you have in the cab. I thought I could choose which ones to run but I guess not.
If I uninstall your cab with it revert to the previous registry entries?

adolfotregosa said:
what does turbo mode do ??? it does not change cpu speed, so , what does it do '???
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Standard behavior of the XScale processor is to run in dynamic mode, which means CPU usually tooks less power and switched in hi power mode only when an application asked it. But in Turbo mode, it runs in hi-power mode always and as a result you are getting better performance.

Ranju: is it for T-mobile only? I tried to install it (Qtek 9000) but it was neglected. (can't install it). Can the tweaks be manually done? If so: what are they?

ok but that implies changing the cpu speed and that isn't happening

Had to restore my backup... I removed the cab, which didn't unistall it completely. Tried to run it again and it wouldn't install (because it never removed the files it put in during the 1st install).
I like what you did, and I would kill to have a UI to pick and choose the changes I want applied. Right now there's not even a list of what's in there, which is why I tried to remove it in the first place.
It's a nice enough idea though.

ok ,it does not change the speed but picodrive runs MUCH smother !! i'll try to do this "feature" with XCPUScalar2006_v2.98 so i can use "speedstep" to save battery

Qtek 9100 newbie questions

Hi Guys, I've used PDAs for years and just moved up from an Orange SPV-C500 to the Qtek 9100 so I'm fairly familiar for the general working environment but new to this device. I'd appreciate some advice or help with the following:
1) Can you set up the 9100 to lock itself with a button combination or do you have to go via the touchscreen every time.
--> Edit: Found Matt Armstrong's DeviceLock app (http://www.mr2-power.com/downloads/DeviceLock.CAB) and mapped it to the voice record button.
2) I have managed to freeze the Qtek a few times while exploring its features and probably by loading too much up at once but the issue here is that occationally when I push the reset switch it powers up again with the backlight off - is this a known issue and is there a quick way of turning it on (button presses?) rather than having to squint at the display while holding it near to a desk lamp!?
3) I've used Resco Audio Recorder on my PDA (iPAQ 4155) with no problems but recording on the Qtek is jumpy and the elapsed time counter takes about 1.5 seconds to clock up every second - anyone else seeing this kind of behaviour? Is the processor just not up to it?
-->> Edit: Dropping down to 8KHz sampling didn't make a lot of difference but switching to Resco's .raf format produces decent recordings with the realtime clock ticking over at the correct rate.
4) Can you replace the standard 'phone' app with a third party one? If so, what's available.
Thanks
Linker3000

3,. depends what format you use in Resco AR. IN general, it won't be able to record correctly into Speex and almost surely into Ogg when not overclocked. Are you using one of these two formats?

Menneisyys said:
3,. depends what format you use in Resco AR. IN general, it won't be able to record correctly into Speex and almost surely into Ogg when not overclocked. Are you using one of these two formats?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope - using the deault which is 11KHz, 16-bit, 96Kbps MP3. I'll have a play with the settings and see what happens.
Edit: Dropping down to 8KHz sampling didn't make a lot of difference but switching to Resco's .raf format produces decent recordings with the realtime clock ticking over at the correct rate.

linker3000 said:
Nope - using the deault which is 11KHz, 16-bit, 96Kbps MP3. I'll have a play with the settings and see what happens.
Edit: Dropping down to 8KHz sampling didn't make a lot of difference but switching to Resco's .raf format produces decent recordings with the realtime clock ticking over at the correct rate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, RAF is far less storage-friendly than, say, MP3. You may want to consider sticking to, say, NoteM if you want both quality and not very space-consuming recordings.
Please also see http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/112005SoundRecorderApps.asp for more info on all these q's.

and about 2:
no, its not normal, maybe u need to replace ur unit...a workaround...press the power button, it should turn on the display automatically when it comes back from standby...

I need SIM unlock program for my Qtec 9100...
I need help!

Do a search for Lokiwiz and/or Awizard

Trashman said:
Do a search for Lokiwiz and/or Awizard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aWizard is work, CID is unlock...
SIM doesn't work.
I have done this with program Lokiwiz, everything was right, but my SIM don't work...
HELP

Making the Best out of ULTIMATE 8150

for a few days on searching for rom updates for ULTImate 8150 and found nothing, i had installed and tweaked the registry settings of my device and made some adjustments to improve its overall performance... here are some of what i did:
1. installed qmenu for the pupose of enabling the ok as close button so as to always close opened applications- this will enable the device to use more memory for applications that need more memory allocation. Dont forget to check the "enable at startup" setting.
2. installed advance configuration v.3 to tweak registry keys to maximize performance and battery saving of the device. in this version, you will find other options that also be useful such as softkey (left and right) launcher editing.
3. installed CF Version 3.5 to also increase slight speed with opening and processing handling of the device. i have not uninstalled the CF version 2 since you cant literally remove it from the ROM. then, changed a key in the registry from v.2 to v.3.5(search for "askd" post in how to speed up OEM roms). I also noted some good effects in doing this--- applications which requires CF v.2 or V3.5 can be used with my device, since i only tweaked the registry and not physically removed the version 2, applications which need either v.2 or v.3.5 can be used.
4. tweaked some display setting keys to ddi.dll to nvdddi.dll (im not really sure if this changed graphics performance) but i used TCPMP player and just did a few settings changes and videos played really smooth, dvd quality plays really good--i used converter to compress videos(avi-divx format). i am still testing few graphics driver i found including samsung's intel based driver and other graphics driver(ati and nvidia), i just post my feedback soon about this issue.
5. tweak the contrast key in the registry and unlocked a menu in the system settings with regards to contrast.
6. adjusted backlight settings to third bar from the left and set backlight to shut in 10 sec, 1 min respectively.
7. deleted some start-up applications which consumes additional running memory of the device.
8. installed other apps n tweaks but i cant remember all coz i think ive done almost a hundred softresets and hard resets for testing drivers and apps so ill just update this post. maybe you guys could add to this...
for now, im looking for apps for the camera, arcsoft or other, for better and additional options for camera.
also found a useful driver for enabling miniUSB to be a comm port. you can connect other devices to this port. still testing...
--hope this could help in a way for ULtImate 8150 users... im still testing some apps and tweaks with my device. ill just update this post if i find other good stuffs to post.
dhoosh

by the way, thanks to the authors of the softwares/apps/tweaks if mentioned... and to all contributor of this site...

i m new to ultimate 8150.....cud u plz plz plz give details how u did all da stuff (tweaking stuff)
thnx

aztigen22 said:
for a few days on searching for rom updates for ULTImate 8150 and found nothing, i had installed and tweaked the registry settings of my device and made some adjustments to improve its overall performance... here are some of what i did:
1. installed qmenu for the pupose of enabling the ok as close button so as to always close opened applications- this will enable the device to use more memory for applications that need more memory allocation. Dont forget to check the "enable at startup" setting.
2. installed advance configuration v.3 to tweak registry keys to maximize performance and battery saving of the device. in this version, you will find other options that also be useful such as softkey (left and right) launcher editing.
3. installed CF Version 3.5 to also increase slight speed with opening and processing handling of the device. i have not uninstalled the CF version 2 since you cant literally remove it from the ROM. then, changed a key in the registry from v.2 to v.3.5(search for "askd" post in how to speed up OEM roms). I also noted some good effects in doing this--- applications which requires CF v.2 or V3.5 can be used with my device, since i only tweaked the registry and not physically removed the version 2, applications which need either v.2 or v.3.5 can be used.
4. tweaked some display setting keys to ddi.dll to nvdddi.dll (im not really sure if this changed graphics performance) but i used TCPMP player and just did a few settings changes and videos played really smooth, dvd quality plays really good--i used converter to compress videos(avi-divx format). i am still testing few graphics driver i found including samsung's intel based driver and other graphics driver(ati and nvidia), i just post my feedback soon about this issue.
5. tweak the contrast key in the registry and unlocked a menu in the system settings with regards to contrast.
6. adjusted backlight settings to third bar from the left and set backlight to shut in 10 sec, 1 min respectively.
7. deleted some start-up applications which consumes additional running memory of the device.
8. installed other apps n tweaks but i cant remember all coz i think ive done almost a hundred softresets and hard resets for testing drivers and apps so ill just update this post. maybe you guys could add to this...
for now, im looking for apps for the camera, arcsoft or other, for better and additional options for camera.
also found a useful driver for enabling miniUSB to be a comm port. you can connect other devices to this port. still testing...
--hope this could help in a way for ULtImate 8150 users... im still testing some apps and tweaks with my device. ill just update this post if i find other good stuffs to post.
dhoosh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i m new to ultimate 8150.....cud u plz plz plz give details how u did all da stuff (tweaking stuff)
thnx